A thread below got me thinking:

If you had to limit yourself to one brand of powder, what would it be? I'd pick Hodgdon. How about you? Why?

Alliant

hodgdon

Either Hodgon or IMR has the entire spectrum pretty well covered, but I would probably give the edge to Hodgon.

Hodgdon, I use Varget & H4831 by the ton

Another vote for Alliant.

IMR is an easy choice for me. Their line was developed E.I. Dupont. This in itself would not mean much except that I have seen wide swings in lot to lot variations with Hercules powders which is now named or owned by Alliant. These variations have stopped me from using the Rx and now RL powders. There is a second problem in that double based (RL) powders are blammed over and over for gun explosions.

The products of Accurate are inconsistant and I had a overload using AA 2015 that was due to powder being made wrong, the wrong powder in the can (by AA) or the data being wrong. I flushed that down the toilet.

The Hodgdon powder that I have used has all been of surplus source so Hodgdon did not make it! In fact it was developed by Dupont with the exception of the 50 # keg of Ball C that had the wrong data compiled by Hodgdon.

I have been handloading since 1953 and I have seen them come and go. IMR is a class act. Hogdon is pretty good. Norma's powders were constant. The others I don't trust.

This is an easy choice for me

Here in Kalifornia, that could become a problem! For pistol, rifle & shotgun, I think Allient has got things pretty well covered.

Improved Military Rifle... IMR

Dan

Hodgdon! My still being new to reloading, their information seemed more consistant. Their website and manuals more up-to-date. Seems to me they put more into research. Along with their reputation, and wide selection. Seemed a logical choice to me.

Phil

[ 01-12-2003, 21:32: Message edited by: Greyghost ]

Vihtavouri or Norma. They both have excellent lot to lot consistency. I think in some areas they are hard to get, however.

If I couldn't get them, then Hodgdon.

Alliant

VihtaVuori cause they burn cool and clean. They meter well compared to the stick powders like IMR.
Only complaint is their rifle powder only comes in two pound cans. If a new choice doesn't pan out, you're stuck with lots of expensive fertilizer, which is a much better way to dispose of any smokeless gunpowder than flushing it down the hopper. Just sprinkle it lightly on the lawn.

[ 01-12-2003, 22:38: Message edited by: onefunzr2 ]

Hogdon

Vithavuori

Hodgon. I use a bunch of H414 in .220,.243, .375, 7x57. In the others I could use H4831, although I usually use RL22 now in the magnums. come to think of it, I could use the Reloader series and nothing else too.

Tough question, after thinking about I would have say Vithavouri. I know I will never buy another pound of Alliant Powder, like wise with Accurate Arms. Truly Hodgdon, and IMR are very good powders as well.

Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight......RiverRat

I think I know what you are getting at but I'm not sure the question makes sense. We have a choice of different powders. Use the ones that suit you best. If it comes down to only having one source, I'll use it.

vit

I have most of the propellants availabe here. I replace more Alliant than any other. Hodgdon next, VihtaVouri third, and then the others.

Since Hodgdon is not a manufacturer, but a middleman-company that buys powder from a number of sources and manufacturers, and has some manufacturers make powder for them to their specifications, and then packages these various powders under their Hodgdon brand name and other number or name designations, naming Hodgdon as the top one in this particular brand-name competition seems a bit unfair to the others that are genuine manufacturers. But if I had to name one powder supplier, it would be Hodgdon. If I had to name one manufacturer it would be IMR.

[ 01-13-2003, 05:41: Message edited by: LE270 ]

My vote goes to IMR. I have been loading with it the longest, with the best overall results in all areas.

JAG

I DO LIVE WITH ONE POWDER [ALLIANT BULLSEYE]SINCE IT'S ALL I'VE USED TO LOAD 38 SPL .357 MAG AND 9 MM.

A .357 MAG CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.........

another vote for VihtaVuori!

Vihta Vouri, I just wish I could spell it.

Rem. 222

Hodgdon always seems to work best for me. Lately, Retumbo has become my favorite powder. I'll have to start buying it by the keg.

I too depend mostly on Hodgdon and IMR....some Accurate.for.speciality types.
Cut my teeth on Bullseye and 2400....IMR4350 by the case.

My vote goes to Hodgdon. They have all the best powders for all my needs.

PaulS

rogerinneb,
Make mine Hodgdon. In a three year test I confirmed for myself that the Extreme technology isnot temperature sensitive. I also found during the test that the powders are extremely consistent from one lot to another. Since Hodgdon shortened the length of the granules they meter much better. They also seem to be more readily available, at least in this area. Just my nickles worth. Used to be two cents worth, but inflation ya know.

VihtaVuori!

I do and it is Vihtavuori.

Howdy,

My answer to this post is Hodgdon, but not for the reasons mentioned here. Check out their mission statement.

Coach

IMR

I'm not sure I understand the question. Most powder distributors (brands) only market powder, not make it. They purchase powder from various sources. Hodgdon used to sell a lot of repackaged US surplus, but later used Nobel, ICI, St. Marks (formerly Olin), and now predominantly ADI of Austrailia as their sources. So are you guys who picked Hodgdon really saying you want powder from all of thoses sources? Accurate Arms similarly uses manufacturers in the Czech Republic as well as surplus US. And Alliant produces some and buys others from Norma (or the same sources as Norma). Western Powders is buying and marketing powders from a number of sources.

So maybe we should be asking what line of MANUFACTURER'S powders would you miss the most. That probably depends on where in the world you are. Most U.S. rifle shooters use the Dupont (now IMR) IMR line as the standard against which to compare other powders. We even find that other manufacturers/brands have marketed IMR "clones" to cater to this popularity (H4831, H4350, H4895, H4198, H4227, AA 4350, and so on). By the same token, we've become pretty dependent on the "ball" powders, formerly Olin ("Winchester"), originally of military origins for many of our standard loadings (H335/WC 844/AA2230, BL-C2/WC 846, H380/WC 856).

As for me, I'd miss original surplus 4831 and find it unreplaceable if I ever ran out of my hord. Try as they might, neither IMR, nor ICI, nor ADI can make it like the original.

Blue Diamond strike anywhere match-head tips.

Alliant would be my first choice. Hodgdon would be second. IMR third. Good shooting.

[ 01-13-2003, 22:18: Message edited by: phurley ]

Alliant by a small small margin--they're all pretty good.

Hogdon!!! They have the largest variety, I use almost their entire line. H-4227, 4198, 322, 335, 380, 414, 450, 4895, BLC2, 4350, 4831.

No one said BLACK?

Nashcat